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Disneyland Paris => Disneyland Paris Trip Planning => Topic started by: lauralouisemidwinter on August 21, 2012, 01:45:09 PM

Title: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: lauralouisemidwinter on August 21, 2012, 01:45:09 PM
Hello again all,
At the weekend I am booking to go to Disneyland Paris on the 25th of March 2013.
I have a few more questions,
1. As I love characters, what sort if characters are there out at this time of year, is it strictly to the program or are there some roaming about.
2. What are the queues for rides like at this time of year.
3. How busy is it around the park,          And
4. Does anyone have any pictures of the new rooms at the Santa Fe and do we know when it is going to be done ?
Thank you so much for your help in advance :)
Love Laura xx
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: lauralouisemidwinter on August 27, 2012, 05:39:03 PM
Please can I have some help, I have never been at this time of year and would be very grateful :)
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: ilovedisneylandparis on August 27, 2012, 09:27:50 PM
Quote from: "lauralouisemidwinter"Hello again all,
At the weekend I am booking to go to Disneyland Paris on the 25th of March 2013.
I have a few more questions,
1. As I love characters, what sort if characters are there out at this time of year, is it strictly to the program or are there some roaming about.
2. What are the queues for rides like at this time of year.
3. How busy is it around the park,          And
4. Does anyone have any pictures of the new rooms at the Santa Fe and do we know when it is going to be done ?
Thank you so much for your help in advance :)
Love Laura xx

Hello! I can't help you with all your questions I'm afraid but hopefully I can help with some of them :D In March I would presume the queues are fairly good - I usually find that visiting in termtime means the queues are far shorter and the parks are less busy, so unless your holiday is during a school/public holiday in France/the UK/the surrounding countries then you should be okay!

If you go on Flickr and do a search for Santa Fe, you might be able to find something! I found this photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/swandive/7223243422/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/swandive/7223243422/%22%20target=%22_blank%22%20rel=%22nofollow) which shows the new bedcovers. Might be worth searching for Hotel Santa Fe in the previous posts on this site, and see if other people have posted any photos or reviews - the Trip Report section might be a good place to look!

Hope you have a lovely trip  :D
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: ewormas on August 27, 2012, 10:30:48 PM
Hi, can't be of much use to you but if you search santa fe on dedicatedtodlp.com they have some great pics from the new Santa Fe rooms.  I love the refurbished rooms, i'm going Newport Bay this year but will go to Santa Fe again next year  :D
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: never2old on August 28, 2012, 08:55:21 AM
I've been around March a few times before, it's usually a good time to go, queues wise.... Unless it's a sunny weekend it's usually fairly quiet, you can get a lot done with very little queuing.

Characters are a bit random, I've been times when you seem them everywhere, and other times when it's only in the Meet 'n' Greets. Or maybe it had to do with the weather. That's one of the big problems in March, you can have a lovely sunny day, or a miserable wet day (but then the same applies to August :lol:)

I don't know this year since the 20th anniversary celebrations will probably continue beyond April 2013, but I have found sometimes that March can be a bit of a in-between seasons; once celebration may be over and the next one not started yet, which can means less shows, some decorations being taken down and others put up, etc. Again, I don't think it will be the case next March, they haven't announced yet how long the 20th anniversary will be!!
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: Martin B on August 28, 2012, 01:27:46 PM
It will be realtively quiet on the weekdays, but you might find that quite a few rides are being refurbished.

Don't worry about characters, they are out every day no matter what the occassion or weather. The scheduled characters will be out but you will still find a fair share roaming around the park.
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: lauralouisemidwinter on August 28, 2012, 07:39:39 PM
Thank you so much for your help everyone, after looking at the dates today I have found out it will tie in with the start of the Easter holidays, so this brings another question, is it busy and do they do any special things, like shows or anythin like that. And again, THANKYOU :D
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: Elaine on August 28, 2012, 07:43:03 PM
they don't do anything special for Easter - but it may be busy.
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: Epcot_Boy on August 28, 2012, 08:12:18 PM
I know you've probably already picked your dates but between March 8th-10th is the Welsh festival which can be quite entertaining. Also on previous years they have had fireworks to celebrate the festival in the park, they can be very spectacular :)
I've been a couple of times and it's been an enjoyable weekend.
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: lauralouisemidwinter on September 03, 2012, 12:10:27 AM
Thankyou so much for you help everyone, you guys are awsome :)
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: lauralouisemidwinter on January 02, 2013, 08:46:23 PM
Well, I am going in 2 moths and 22 days :) (March 24 - 27)
A few queries,
1. Will POTC be open because it is closed for a LONG time ?
2. How busy is it on these dates ?
3. How is the refurb going with the Santa Fe because I would love staying in one of the new room :D

Laura x
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: kate87 on January 04, 2013, 12:50:17 PM
Were going mid march 14th-18th as its our daughters birthday but if you're dates are over easter im told it does get very busy. But quieter than halloween still.
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: Thaliel on January 07, 2013, 02:03:42 AM
Quote from: "lauralouisemidwinter"1. As I love characters, what sort if characters are there out at this time of year, is it strictly to the program or are there some roaming about.
2. What are the queues for rides like at this time of year.
3. How busy is it around the park,          And
4. Does anyone have any pictures of the new rooms at the Santa Fe and do we know when it is going to be done ?
Thank you so much for your help in advance :)
Love Laura xx


1. You will probably have all those who ride on the anniversary train, as well as those who are on the meetup spots, like mickey, minnie, pluto, Duffy, Goofy

2. depends on when in March you are going, the last week of the month should be avoided, since Easter is on March 31st/april1st
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: DisneyManiac on January 07, 2013, 11:51:03 AM
With the programme, you can check the website for the PDF version only available in the week you go!
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: lauralouisemidwinter on January 07, 2013, 03:20:10 PM
Thanks for the help everyone, our dates are the 24th to the 27th of march do we are not actually there through the easter weekend. But can anyone please give me any more info about the Santa Fe refurb because I really want to stay in one of the new rooms :D
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: Elaine on January 07, 2013, 05:41:32 PM
Quote from: "lauralouisemidwinter"Thanks for the help everyone, our dates are the 24th to the 27th of march do we are not actually there through the easter weekend. But can anyone please give me any more info about the Santa Fe refurb because I really want to stay in one of the new rooms :D

phone the hotel about a week before you check in and ask for one of the refurbed  Cars themed rooms - but I'm pretty sure all the Santa Fe rooms are now refurbed.
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: lauralouisemidwinter on January 07, 2013, 07:39:18 PM
I may try that, we are not traveling through Disney so then agin it may not :D
Thankyou for the help anyway :)
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: Elaine on January 07, 2013, 09:47:19 PM
Quote from: "lauralouisemidwinter"I may try that, we are not traveling through Disney so then agin it may not :D
Thankyou for the help anyway :)

it doesn't matter who you have booked through - the hotel will have your specific booking details (name, number in party etc) 3 days before you check in, so you can call the hotel then and ask for a refurbed Cars theme room.
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: lauralouisemidwinter on January 07, 2013, 09:59:44 PM
Awesome :D
Does anyone have the number maybe one that won't cost a fortune.
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: Elaine on January 07, 2013, 10:35:04 PM
Quote from: "lauralouisemidwinter"Awesome :D
Does anyone have the number maybe one that won't cost a fortune.

heres the direct telephone number for the hotel -

Hotel Santa Fe 0033 1 60 45 78 00

If you have a UK landline, google for cheap calls to France and use one of those numbers to make the call, you can get the call for 0.5p per minute then  :) .
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: Boxy on January 07, 2013, 11:29:12 PM
You could email them requesting a refurbished room. You can give them your details, dates you are staying and any reference numbers you have been given with your booking regardless of who you booked your holiday with to
dlp.guest.communication@disney.com
This is what I do every year and they always reply in a few days.
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: grovesie on January 08, 2013, 07:36:18 AM
Hello,

Your visit should be quiet unless the french schools break up for half term. I have been in both March and April, In and out of school time and we have had nice weather too.

 I'm not sure if the Disney Hotel is still holding the dance down the stairs( characters descend down the stairs in the reception and then do a meet and greet, saves a lot of queues)It's only on 4 days a week but well worth visiting, I can not remember but I think it's Thursday to Sunday, may be someone can confirm. They also did the same thing with several princesses, but I'm again not sure if thats still on

(//http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8096/8360776120_6b21cb8d84.jpg) (//http://www.flickr.com/photos/grovesie/8360776120/)
DSC_8563 (//http://www.flickr.com/photos/grovesie/8360776120/) by grovesie.i (//http://www.flickr.com/people/grovesie/), on Flickr



I would also attend the magic hours, you will find Buzzlight year, Peterpans Flight, Teacups, Carosell and Dumbo open. We walked onto all these rides without any queues, and if your hotel does breakfast in the park you can do the rides and stay in the park for breakfast.

(//http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8463/8360780604_f034b6107f.jpg) (//http://www.flickr.com/photos/grovesie/8360780604/)
Where's everyone (//http://www.flickr.com/photos/grovesie/8360780604/) by grovesie.i (//http://www.flickr.com/people/grovesie/), on Flickr
Just my Kids by the Castle and this was during August school holidays

I have heard that Dreams is running until Sept 2013.

Hope this helps
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: julesk on January 08, 2013, 12:50:32 PM
Wow, the disney hotel show sounds great. Are you aloud in for a look around if your not staying there? I desperatly want to see inside the pink palace. . Does anyone know if this charactor show/meet n geet is on in May 2013? Thanks
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: kate87 on January 08, 2013, 01:03:43 PM
the scheduled closures & refurbs for march are now out too. There's not too many :)
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: lauralouisemidwinter on January 08, 2013, 01:46:41 PM
Hi everybody,
Thankyou all so much for your help,
We only actually have 2 days in the park (Monday the 25th and Tuesday the 26th) so the decent of the stairs may not work for us :/
Out of all the closures there are only 2 ride on our list we can't do so I am quite please with that :D
Thankyou again and please keep the advise coming :)
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: grovesie on January 08, 2013, 03:41:44 PM
Quote from: "julesk"Wow, the disney hotel show sounds great. Are you aloud in for a look around if your not staying there? I desperatly want to see inside the pink palace. . Does anyone know if this charactor show/meet n geet is on in May 2013? Thanks

 Yes anybody can visit, You could also go there and visit Bar, restaurant etc
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: Hayzi on January 08, 2013, 05:14:57 PM
Quote from: "GROVESIE"Hello,

Your visit should be quiet unless the french schools break up for half term. I have been in both March and April, In and out of school time and we have had nice weather
 

Do you have any idea how much busier the park can get in the French school holidays? The Paris schools appear to be off between 28/2-17/03 (long half terms, lucky people!). This is in time with our planned trip and although we have been on a May public holiday which was busy (2h for Thunder Mountain) wasn't to bad and I guess like our half terms the adults still have to work.  Just don't want to go an it be manic and only do a few rides each day.
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: lauralouisemidwinter on January 17, 2013, 02:33:38 PM
Hiya guys I am back again,
I have heard you can swap having breakfast in your hotel to having it in the park, has anyone ever done it and if you have how do you do it?
Thank you yet again :)
Laura x
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: Elaine on January 17, 2013, 08:58:40 PM
Quote from: "lauralouisemidwinter"Hiya guys I am back again,
I have heard you can swap having breakfast in your hotel to having it in the park, has anyone ever done it and if you have how do you do it?
Thank you yet again :)
Laura x

yes you can do this from your hotel. You ask at reception if there any any breakfasts in the park taking place during your stay. If there are (they are not always every day) you can swap a breakfast slot at your hotel for one in the park. The staff at reception will give you a voucher with your timeslot and the name of the restaurant in the park where it is being held on it, you take this with you to the restaurant, and have your breakfast there  :) .

You can't do this in advance, you have to wait until you reach your hotel. I do it as often as I can when staying at the Santa Fe, as I don't enjoy 7.30am breakfasts, I'd rather do the earliest hour of EMH from 8am then have breakfast in the park at 9.15am.
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: lauralouisemidwinter on January 17, 2013, 09:06:07 PM
Gosh Elaine you are brill thank you :D
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: lauralouisemidwinter on January 19, 2013, 05:48:53 PM
Okay, So I just rang the booking line and asked to have a newly decorated cars room and the very unhelpful lady said that the cars decoration was only in the lobby ... UM NOOOO. I think I may just give up and hope for the best or should I email them ? Help meeee :D
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: Elaine on January 19, 2013, 06:15:50 PM
Quote from: "lauralouisemidwinter"Okay, So I just rang the booking line and asked to have a newly decorated cars room and the very unhelpful lady said that the cars decoration was only in the lobby ... UM NOOOO. I think I may just give up and hope for the best or should I email them ? Help meeee :D

the booking line knows nothing  ;) . Wait until a week before your check-in date and phone the hotel directly.
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: captain rocket on January 19, 2013, 07:13:13 PM
Here's some photos of a refurbished room(//http://i767.photobucket.com/albums/xx319/PeteHawke/SF007_zpsce5aaacd.jpg)
(//http://i767.photobucket.com/albums/xx319/PeteHawke/SF008_zpsfebf0058.jpg)
(//http://i767.photobucket.com/albums/xx319/PeteHawke/SF011_zpsbca8b799.jpg)
Title: Re: HELP ... March 2013
Post by: lauralouisemidwinter on January 20, 2013, 01:01:41 PM
OMG thankyou so much captain rocket :D
I am so exited now :D